Yes, I know. Gas drilling in the Barnett Shale has made some homeowners extra spending money and created jobs for local workers. We also need to expand our sources of energy.

But news events of this week, in addition to pastitems we’ve blogged, are making me wonder:

1. Those low-grade earthquakes in the area last year? Scientists at UT Austin and SMU say a well used to dispose of saltwater brought to the surface during drilling might be to blame. (Good news: They did not find evidence linking the quakes to drilling of production wells or the process, called hydrological fracturing, that forces trapped gas upward.)

2. Companies that want to run gas pipelines through public land in Flower Mound and Haltom City have filed lawsuits to get the access they say they need. The News’ Wendy Hundley reports that the heart of the issue is the controversial eminent domain practice.

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